KALAMAZOO–Western Michigan University will kick off the spring installment of its popular Haworth College of Business Distinguished Speaker Series with a talk by Arthur C. Johnson, 2009-10 chairman of the American Bankers Association and chairman, president and CEO of United Community Financial Corp. in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Johnson, who also is chairman and CEO of United Bank of Michigan, will speak on “Changes and Challenges in Community Banking” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in Schneider Hall. His presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer period and reception.
The ABA is the voice for the nation’s $13 trillion banking industry and its two million employees. In addition to serving as the organization’s chairman, Johnson has chaired its Government Relations Council and BankPac Committee, has been a member of its Community Bankers Council and Administrative Committee, and now chairs its Nominating and CEO Search committees.
A WMU alumnus, Johnson is a principal of Bank Fund Capital Partners, LLC, which serves as general partner of the Community Bank Opportunity Fund, and is an advisor to that fund as well as a member of the fund’s Investment Committee. He also is a director of the Employers’ Association, a not-for-profit membership organization providing West Michigan businesses with human resource-related information and solutions.
Johnson has served the Michigan Bankers Association in many capacities, including as its president in 1998-99, and he was named Michigan Banker of the Year in 2000. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Michigan District of the Small Business Association also named him the Financial Services Advocate of the Year in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from WMU.
Those planning to attend Arthur C. Johnson’s talk on “Changes and Challenges in Community Banking” should register by Thursday, Jan. 20. To register or obtain event details, contact WMU’s Shawna Cassada at shawna.cassada@wmich.edu or (269) 387-6059.
